How Will Voter ID Cards Be Issued in 15 Days for Bihar Elections?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Voter ID cards will be issued within 15 days.
- Maximum of 1,200 voters per polling booth.
- Honorarium for Electoral Registration Officers introduced.
- Digital platform for quicker access to voter information.
- Booth Level Officers commended for their efforts.
Patna, Oct 5 (NationPress) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar stated on Sunday that the extensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was accomplished in Bihar ahead of the elections, adhering to the set schedule and with excellence.
He expressed gratitude to more than 90,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for their monumental efforts in the electoral process and commended them for enhancing the integrity of the electoral rolls, indicating that similar SIR initiatives will be implemented nationwide.
During a media briefing after a two-day evaluation of electoral readiness in Bihar, the CEC revealed that the Election Commission has introduced 17 new initiatives, some of which are already active in the state, while others will be rolled out during the election period.
Highlighting the extensive preparations for the Assembly elections, he noted that steps have been taken to facilitate the voting process and enhance voter experience.
"The EC has created a comprehensive framework to streamline the polling process. Voter ID cards will be dispatched to citizens within 15 days, and booth-level officers will also receive their Voter ID cards," he mentioned.
Additionally, to minimize chaos and overcrowding at polling stations, it has been decided that no booth will accommodate more than 1,200 voters, marking a significant change from previous practices.
In another noteworthy decision, candidates are now allowed to set up their stalls at a distance of 100 meters from polling booths, a change from earlier regulations.
The CEC announced the introduction of an honorarium for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) for the first time, along with increased compensation for booth-level officers, a change that had been overdue.
"A designated room adjacent to polling booths will be available for voters to store their mobile phones, which they can claim after casting their votes," he added.
"To facilitate functions and improve voter convenience, a one-stop digital platform has been launched. Digital index cards will be accessible within days post-polling, significantly quicker than the previous months-long wait," he explained.
Commending the BLOs for their efforts in the SIR initiative, he remarked, "The exemplary work of over 90,000 booth-level officers in poll-bound Bihar has set a benchmark for fellow BLOs nationwide as they prepare for similar initiatives in their regions."